New South Wales Education Infrastructure - Report Example

NSW EDUCATION INFRASTRUCTURE Name: Institution: Date: NSW Australia Education Introduction Australia is a plural global community which requires that Australian students should have relevant skills, knowledge and values to take part in shaping the future that they desire in order to achieve an unbiased, diplomatic and socially just and economically sustainable world. In NSW and Australia in general, education is meant to promote and support a transformative curriculum which is future focused, vibrant and innovative. The government schools system in NSW is the biggest education network in Australia. Each school in the region offers a safe, secure and dynamic learning environment. Study of Current institutional and Economic characteristics of Education in NSW The NSW education system is one that encompasses kindergarten up to year 12 level. Primary education is usually up to year 6 and Secondary education begins at year 7 up to year 12. The Education system of NSW is administered by the Department of Education and training which is responsible for the provision of Education to all citizens of NSW from children to youths and even adults. The Department is also responsible for the provision of all training requirements in the educational sector of NSW as well as the community (Harris & Marsh 2005) NSW Public Schools comprises both government owned schools and private owned schools or non-government schools. Government schools are subdivided further into selective schools and comprehensive schools. Schools that are categorized as private include: Schools owned by the Catholic Church as well as other schools that are owned by churches and even schools that are owned by other independent bodies (Harris & Marsh 2005). The following are some of the services that the Department of Education and Training in NSW provides; it categorizes and prioritizes skills that are needed in the industry and the needs of training a viable workforce and identifies paths of traineeship and apprenticeship and establishes their suitability as arrangements for schooling. The Department also develops various means through which education can be improved in various institutions in NSW. Public schools in NSW Public schools in NSW operate under the Department of education and training which caters for the education needs of close to 70% as far as education in NSW is concerned. The main role of public education is to produce young citizens who are competent enough to make a valuable contribution in society (Tony, 2002). TAFE The technical and further Education commission (TAFE), offers an extensive framework of institutional and educational for Vocational Education and Training (VET) to more than five hundred students. In NSW TAFE provides services which include essential support infrastructure such as libraries, learner support and student services. Through this unique capability in terms of institutional capacity combined with high quality of learning and teaching support TAFE has been able to offer many students a chance to discover their potential and capture opportunities of furthering their education (Tony 2002). Industry Training Services The goals of the State Training and services’ is to widen and support a quality professional education and training that is able to meet the economic needs of NSW as well as improve skills both for the individual trainees and the Institutions through the Department of Training and Education and ITABS which are training institutions as well as other community based organizations. Adult and community Education in NSW The NSW Department of Education supports Adult and community Education by means of grants to community based colleges across NSW. The Adult and community Education unit upholds community education and renders funding support to community colleges as well as information and advice on community education everywhere in the state. Adult Migrant English Service This is an agency of the NSW State Government which is also a part of the NSW Department of Education and Training which has provided English language teaching to more that 1.5 million people via classroom methods, online means, also known as distance education and even in workplaces (Harris & Marsh 2005). The agency which was formed in the year 1951 is the leading agency in the provision of quality language and literacy education via its provisional courses and resources as well as curriculum development. The agency is also recognized internationally. National Art School NSW The National Art School is an independent school managed by the Department of Education and Training (DET), and is one of the central points in the art scene in NSW. It is based at Darlinghurst. Currently the Art School has over 1000 students. The aspirations and intentions of the Art School are to delivering superior expert education in the field of visual arts and other related fields and to be the leader in the provision of Visual arts education. Higher Education in NSW Institutions of Higher Education in NSW comprise both non-university and private higher education providers who provide training in courses ranging from diploma to doctoral degree levels. The providers of higher education in NSW are registered under nationwide agencies, “tertiary Education quality and standards agency” (TEQSA). The Public Institutions of Higher Education in NSW operate under guidelines and funding from the Department of Education and communities and the Government, but they maintain control of their administrative as well as academic affairs. They also get funding from other agencies other than the Government. Smarter Schools National Partnerships in NSW The Smarter Schools National Partnerships projects were started by Government and non-government schools in a bid to improve the outcomes of education everywhere in NSW. This was in close conglomeration with the “Council of Australian Governments (COAG)”. The project was also started in NSW as a measure to adhere to the “National Education Agreement” as well as the “Schools Assistance Act 2008”. Implementation Plan and Bilateral Agreements with the Commonwealth NSW has a commitment with the Commonwealth as well as other authorities to attain the goals of the National Education Agreement which is aimed at improving the outcomes of education of students in NSW for progress. It is also aimed at helping and supporting young people in order for them to pursue productivity and fulfillment. The partnership between NSW AND Commonwealth was entered in the year 2008 in relation to the “National partnership” on the improvement of the quality of teaching also agreed upon by the “Council of Australian Governments” under the “Melbourne Declaration” on the goals of education among the youths in Australia. Contained in this partnership are stipulations on NSW supervision, inspection, accounting and fiscal guidelines with regard to the “National Partnership on the improvement of the quality of teaching. The implementation of the Agreement has a well defined plan on the actions that should be taken against “the six reward reforms” as well as the “twelve mandatory facilitation reforms” both of which are carried in the “National Partnership Agreement on Improving Teacher Quality” The plan also contains an indication of the scope of the NSW reform agenda and clearly stipulates how National reform contained in the National Partnership mirror the “lifecycle” gamut. Department of Education and Community Negotiations on Education reform DET supervises the fulfillment of statutory requirements by institutions of higher learning in NSW as outlined in the “Higher Education Act of 1988” concerning certification of degrees as well as other qualifications. DET also sets the standards in standard statutory approval among institutions of higher learning Critical evaluation of planning and financing regime The purpose of this evaluation is to describe and understand the aims, advancement and outcomes of the fiscal state of education in NSW as well as to answer questions that are oftenly asked by the public and other stakeholders about the state of education funding in NSW (Commonwealth of Australia 2001). The Education infrastructure factor is also included in this section in order to come up with a clear assessment of how the education facilities and equipment come into play in the education sector. The education infrastructure in NSW has been funded for many years by the government of Australia through the Department of Education and training. However, the situation is changing significantly with many players coming in to invest in the many institutions in the education system. Investment by both the public and private sectors in education has grown over the years in the various areas of urban development. This paper will look at the education sector which is a good example of how the funding of infrastructure is changing in NSW (Harris & Marsh 2005). When evaluating any venture, there are various factors that need to be considered such as; the benefits of the venture and to whom, the potency and flaws of such a venture, the socio-economic as well as environmental impacts that the venture has on the communities around, whether the venture matches the resources that have been put into it, the factors that contributed most to the success or failure of the venture as well as whether the venture meets the needs that it was intended for. Education infrastructure funding in terms of equipment and facilities, it is the governments that control education in most nations and Australia is no exception. The government provides guidelines on the management of this crucial sector of the economy and provides funding as well. However, the running and management does not lie in the hands of the government but in the hands of experts who are the administrators. The education sector in Australia is divided in to three areas namely; primary education, secondary education and tertiary all of which are discussed in this paper. The government of Australia supports close to 70% of students in both public and private schools. The other 30% or so belong to the so called independent schools which are either owned by the Catholic Church or other such religious organizations. Public schools are open and free for anyone to attend since they are fully funded by the government. Non-Government Schools in NSW that are listed and do not function for purposes of returns or profits in the terms of the “NSW education reform acts of 1990” are entitled to state funding support (Harris & Marsh 2005). The distribution of fund to non-government schools is based on a 12 category “needs based scheme which stipulates that all the students that are registered under non-government schools draw a per capita grant which is agree on depending on the category of the school. The percentage which is paid to non-government schools is a fraction of the average amount that is given to government school (Tony 2002). This allowance is however separate from commonwealth funds and the allowances and costs that the department of education and training meets for both government and non-government schools. Recommendations The following are recommendations on how the funding and planning of education infrastructure should be done in order to achieve bigger and better results; -There is a need for a more diverse integration of both Governments owned and private owned organizations for better management of capital (Louise 2007). As much as government may be the main stakeholder in education, the resources that the government is able to provide for each state may not be enough to develop the sector fully. Hence there is a need for other partners to participate as well. -Education is a major part of the growth of a nation and every person needs it. Therefore improving education infrastructure means improving the nation as a whole. Improving education infrastructure will lead to a greater socio-economic ability of everyone and through this; the general performance of the other sector of the economy will improve. -Accountability and transparency are factors that are challenging the schools system in many parts of Australia as well as comparability (Dowling 2007). There is a need to collect data on infrastructure development across the board in NSW and making it comparable not only in NSW but across the wider Australia. This will serve the purpose of establishing more transparency for the sake of holding those responsible to account and hence improving the amenity. -A proper allotment of resources is very critical for NSW schools as well as increasing resources. There is a need for synchronization and consistency (Louise 2007). The education sector is growing and hence the needs to constantly improve the resources that are available to cater for the numbers of those that need education which is growing day by day. List of References Commonwealth of Australia, 2001, Evaluation: A guide for good practice, Canberra: Commonwealth of Australia. Dowling, A, 2007, Australia's School Funding System, Sydney: Policy Analysis and Program Evaluation Unit. Harris, C, & Marsh, C, 2005, Curriculum Developments in Australia; Promising Initiatives, Impasses and Dead-ends, Adelaide: Open University Press. Louise, W, 2007, “Possible futures for Commonwealth-State relations in sustaining and improving Australia’s schools, In L. Connors, Federalism Work for Schools: Due Process, Transparency, Informed Consent (pp. 140-150), Canberra: NSW Public Education Alliance. Tony, V, 2002, Inquiry into the Provision of Public Education in NSW, Sydney: NSW Teachers Federation and Federation of P&C Associations of NSW. Read More

Public schools in NSW Public schools in NSW operate under the Department of education and training which caters for the education needs of close to 70% as far as education in NSW is concerned. The main role of public education is to produce young citizens who are competent enough to make a valuable contribution in society (Tony, 2002). TAFE The technical and further Education commission (TAFE), offers an extensive framework of institutional and educational for Vocational Education and Training (VET) to more than five hundred students.

In NSW TAFE provides services which include essential support infrastructure such as libraries, learner support and student services. Through this unique capability in terms of institutional capacity combined with high quality of learning and teaching support TAFE has been able to offer many students a chance to discover their potential and capture opportunities of furthering their education (Tony 2002). Industry Training Services The goals of the State Training and services’ is to widen and support a quality professional education and training that is able to meet the economic needs of NSW as well as improve skills both for the individual trainees and the Institutions through the Department of Training and Education and ITABS which are training institutions as well as other community based organizations.

Adult and community Education in NSW The NSW Department of Education supports Adult and community Education by means of grants to community based colleges across NSW. The Adult and community Education unit upholds community education and renders funding support to community colleges as well as information and advice on community education everywhere in the state. Adult Migrant English Service This is an agency of the NSW State Government which is also a part of the NSW Department of Education and Training which has provided English language teaching to more that 1.

5 million people via classroom methods, online means, also known as distance education and even in workplaces (Harris & Marsh 2005). The agency which was formed in the year 1951 is the leading agency in the provision of quality language and literacy education via its provisional courses and resources as well as curriculum development. The agency is also recognized internationally. National Art School NSW The National Art School is an independent school managed by the Department of Education and Training (DET), and is one of the central points in the art scene in NSW.

It is based at Darlinghurst. Currently the Art School has over 1000 students. The aspirations and intentions of the Art School are to delivering superior expert education in the field of visual arts and other related fields and to be the leader in the provision of Visual arts education. Higher Education in NSW Institutions of Higher Education in NSW comprise both non-university and private higher education providers who provide training in courses ranging from diploma to doctoral degree levels.

The providers of higher education in NSW are registered under nationwide agencies, “tertiary Education quality and standards agency” (TEQSA). The Public Institutions of Higher Education in NSW operate under guidelines and funding from the Department of Education and communities and the Government, but they maintain control of their administrative as well as academic affairs. They also get funding from other agencies other than the Government. Smarter Schools National Partnerships in NSW The Smarter Schools National Partnerships projects were started by Government and non-government schools in a bid to improve the outcomes of education everywhere in NSW.

This was in close conglomeration with the “Council of Australian Governments (COAG)”. The project was also started in NSW as a measure to adhere to the “National Education Agreement” as well as the “Schools Assistance Act 2008”. Implementation Plan and Bilateral Agreements with the Commonwealth NSW has a commitment with the Commonwealth as well as other authorities to attain the goals of the National Education Agreement which is aimed at improving the outcomes of education of students in NSW for progress.

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